Application Development: Web App or Mobile App?

Before you go head first into writing code, take a moment to decide what platform is best for you to develop your app.

Web Applications

Web applications are cost-effective, accessible and compatible, making them perfect for prototyping your application. Most of these advantages stem from the nature of the web itself.

Web apps are easy to update because they don’t require manual updates through a store like the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. This allows updates to be automatically and forcefully pushed to all your users.

Your users can use your app cross-platform on any device and with any browser. When you develop for mobile you are limiting your audience to a specific platform.

Web applications are easy to share. Getting the word out about your application is crucial in the early stages and sharing through social media is a great way to attract new users. Web applications are primed for sharing by URL and support integration with sharing plugins and tools.

Porting to a mobile application is always an option down the road. Often, the best platform to launch a new app is through the web.

Mobile Applications

Mobile applications do have their place, however.

Need location data, sensors, or camera access? Again, this is where mobile shines through. Although, browsers are getting better at using mobile features like click to call and SMS.

Is it critically important that your app is accessible as fast as possible? A mobile app means that your application is just one tap away from using.

Generally, a mobile website should be your first step into the mobile market. A mobile app should come once the value of your service has been proven and you are ready to take advantage of its strengths. Ready to get started? Contact us.